Blackberry plant named ‘A-2524T’

ABSTRACT

Description and specifications of a new and distinct cultivar of blackberry plant originated from a hand-pollinated cross of ‘Ark. 2271T’ (a non-patented, unreleased genotype) x ‘Ark. 2252T’ (a non-patented, unreleased genotype). This new cultivar of blackberry plant can be distinguished by its long-shaped, large berries, good flavor, high productivity, and very healthy plants.

Latin name: Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson.

Varietal denomination: ‘A-2524T’.

BACKGROUND

The new floricane-fruiting cultivar of blackberry called ‘A-2524T’ isdescribed herein. The new cultivar originated from a hand-pollinatedcross of ‘Ark. 2271T’ (a non-patented, unreleased genotype) x ‘Ark.2252T’ (a non-patented, unreleased genotype) made in 2009. The seedsresulting from this controlled hybridization were germinated in agreenhouse in the spring of 2010 and planted in a field nearClarksville, Ark. (West-Central Arkansas). The seedlings fruited in thesummer of 2012 and one seedling, designated ‘Ark. 2524T’, was selectedfor its long-shaped, large berries, good flavor, high productivity, andvery healthy plants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This new and distinct cultivar of blackberry originated from ahand-pollinated cross of ‘Ark. 2271T’ (a non-patented, unreleasedgenotype) x ‘Ark. 2252T’ (a non-patented, unreleased genotype) made in2009 and located near Clarksville, Ark. (West-Central Arkansas). Thebotanical designation of the new cultivar of blackberry is Rubus L.subgenus Rubus Watson. The seeds resulting from this controlledhybridization were germinated in a greenhouse in the winter to earlyspring of 2010 and planted in a field near Clarksville, Ark. Theseedlings fruited in the summer of 2012 on floricanes and one seedling,designated ‘Ark. 2524T,’ was selected for long-shaped, large berries,good flavor, high productivity, and very healthy plants.

During 2012, the original plant selection was propagated asexually fromroot cuttings at the above-noted location, and a test row of 20 plantswas established. Subsequently, larger test plantings have beenestablished with asexually multiplied plants at one location inArkansas.

The new cultivar has been asexually multiplied annually since 2012 bythe use of root cuttings and by rooting adventitious shoots from rootcuttings. It forms new shoots from adventitious buds on root cuttingsreadily. During all asexual multiplication, the characteristics of theoriginal plant have been maintained and no aberrant phenotypes haveappeared.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietyin color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a colorillustration of this character. The plants from which the images weretaken were 3 years old.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of blackberry canes of ‘A-2524T’ with ripe fruiton the plant.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of ripe fruit of ‘A-2524T’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing the abaxial and adaxial sides of aprimocane leaf of ‘A-2524T’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR ‘A-2524T’

Plants and fruit of this new cultivar differ phenotypically from itsparents. The new cultivar is larger in fruit size, has better flavor andis more productive than its female parent ‘Ark. 2271T.’ The new cultivaris earlier ripening, larger, has better flavor and is more productivethan its male parent ‘Ark. 2252T.’ Although blackberries (Rubus subgenusRubus Watson) are highly heterogeneous and outcrossing, and most clonescontain genes from more than one species, the new cultivar and itsprogenitor lines phenotypically exhibit characters predominately of theerect eastern United States species, Rubus allegheniensis Porter(highbush blackberry).

Plants of the new cultivar are vigorous and prolific and rowestablishment following planting is rapid. Both primocanes andfloricanes are very erect in growth habit. The canes can be trained to aself-supporting hedgerow although it is beneficial to use a trellis withsupporting wires to prevent canes from collapsing due to wind or heavyfruit loads. The plants are thornless. Plants and fruit have shown nosusceptibility to anthracnose [Elsinoe veneta (Burkh.) Jenkins], andplants have shown no evidence of susceptibility to orange rust[Gymnoconia nitens (Schwein.) F. Kern and H. W. Thurston.]. Plants haveshown no susceptibility to cane and leaf rust (Kuehneola uredines (Link)Arthur). No screening has been done for resistance to doubleblossom/rosette [Cercosporella rubi (Wint.) Plakidas].

The bloom period of the new cultivar begins on average 16 April for 10%bloom and 25 April for 50% bloom and was very near that of ‘Osage’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 26,120) and later than ‘Natchez’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.20,891).

Fruit of the new cultivar has an average first harvest date of 7 Juneand was three days after ‘Osage’ and five days later than ‘Natchez’. Thefloricane fruiting period is long, averaging 61 days. Fruit yields ofthe new cultivar on floricanes are very high and on average 8.6 kg (18.9lb/plant), higher than that for ‘Osage’ and ‘Natchez’, in West-CentralArkansas. ‘A-2524T’ does not produce fruit on primocanes.

The fruit is elongated in shape and glossy with a uniform black finish.The floricane fruit is large (ave. 7.9 g), 3 g larger than ‘Osage’, and1.0 g smaller than ‘Natchez’. Fruit size of the new cultivar ismaintained well throughout the entire harvest season. The new cultivarexhibits excellent fruit fertility with full drupelet set. Storagepotential of fresh fruit of the new cultivar is lower than that of‘Osage’ and ‘Natchez’ due to softer fruit with more leakage in storagethan these cultivars.

The dry seed weight for the new cultivar averaged 4.5 mg/seed, slightlylarger than ‘Osage’ and smaller than ‘Natchez’.

The fresh fruit rates very well in flavor and when fully ripe are verysweet with good aromatic components. The soluble solids concentrationaverages 8.7% on shiny black fruit, which is lower than ‘Osage’, and‘Natchez’. Titratable acidity averages 1.10 g/L (expressed as citricacid) and is higher than that for ‘Osage’ (0.89 g/L) and comparable to‘Natchez’ (1.14 g/L). Fruit and flower clusters are medium-large,cymose, and are mostly borne on the periphery of the plant canopy,providing easy access to harvest. Flower fertility is high and clustersare well filled.

The following is a detailed description of the botanical and pomologicalcharacteristics of the subject blackberry. Color data are presented inRoyal Horticultural Society Color Chart designations (1986 2nd edition).Where dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are given, itis to be understood that such characteristics are approximations ofaverages set forth as accurately as practicable.

Plants used for botanical data were three years old and grown on a finesandy loam soil with drip irrigation at or near Clarksville, Ark. Theplants were fertilized near budbreak (late March on average) withcomplete or nitrogen fertilizer and had an additional nitrogenfertilizer application in early July. Primocanes were tipped atapproximately 1.14 m (45 inches) and grown in a hedgerow training systemincluding a trellis. Weeds were controlled with pre- and post-emergentherbicides supplemented with mechanical weed control activities. Asingle application of liquid lime sulfur was applied to the plants atbudbreak, and two additional fungicide applications applied near bloomand one to two weeks later. Insecticides were used for spotted-wingdrosophila (Drosophila suzukii Matsumura) control during the harvestseason. The descriptions reported herein are from specimens grown nearClarksville, Ark.

-   Plant:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Plants are grown in a hedgerow and            primocanes tipped at approximately 1.14 m; plants in this            system range in size from approx. 107-140 cm tall and 91-102            cm wide.        -   Growth habit.—Upright, moderate to high vigor, canes erect;            suckers from the crown and roots.        -   Growth rate.—Floricane first budbreak 18 February. First            emergence of primocanes is 28 April and primocanes reach            tipping height (107 cm) on 7 May.-   Productivity:    -   -   Floricane.—8.6 kg (18.9 lb/plant). The low temperature of            1° F. was the lowest the cultivar has been exposed to and            fruited successfully after this exposure. Cold hardiness:            Hardy to 1.0° F. (−17° C.).-   Canes: Thornless, erect.    -   -   Floricane (dormant or winter cane).—Cane: diameter: Base            0.78 cm; midpoint 0.67 cm; terminal 0.64 cm. Internode            length: Base 3.93 cm; midpoint 5.35 cm; terminal 4.60 cm.            Floricane color: Base yellow-green group 145B; midpoint            yellow-green group 145B; terminus yellow-green group 145B.            Thorn density (per 30 cm of cane length): None, this plant            is thornless. Glandular hairs on young shoots: Absent or            few. Dormant cane shape (cross section): Angular.        -   Primocane (current-season cane; late summer).—Cane:            Diameter: base 1.27 cm; midpoint 1.29 cm; terminal 0.55 cm.            Internode length: Base 9.48 cm; midpoint 12.21 cm; terminal            4.11 cm. Primocane color: Base green group 143B; midpoint            yellow-green group 144A: terminus yellow-green group 144B.            Anthocyanin coloration present on floricanes and primocanes            with color most prevalent on sun-exposed canes towards the            top of the canopy. Thorn density (per 30 cm of cane length):            None, this plant is thornless. Glandular hairs on young            shoots: Absent or few. Disease resistance: Plants and fruit            have shown no susceptibility to anthracnose, and plants have            shown no evidence of susceptibility to orange rust. Plants            have shown no susceptibility to cane and leaf rust. No            screening has been done for resistance to double            blossom/rosette. Lateral branching after tipping (measured            at the end of growing season): Average number of lateral            branches: 4; distribution concentrated on the distal portion            (top one-third) of the canes.-   Foliage:    -   -   Primocane.—Average date of leaf bud burst: Primocane buds            open as the cane emerges, primocane emergence averages 28            April. Average number of primocane produced each growing            season: 5. Leaves: Large; mature compound leaf width 24.24            cm; length 21.21 cm; overall shape: palmate. Glossiness:            Abaxial: dull, not glossy; adaxial: dull, not glossy. Color:            Base abaxial green group 138A; adaxial green group 137A;            midpoint abaxial green group 138A; adaxial green group 137A;            terminal abaxial green group 138A; adaxial green group 137A.            Terminal leaflet: Width 10.19 cm; length 10.97 cm; shape            ovate with acute apex and rounded at the base; margin is            serrated; serration teeth length is 0.18 cm and width is            0.23 cm; number of leaflets per compound leaf 5; venation            pinnate; young leaf abaxial vein color yellow-green group            146C; young leaf adaxial vein color yellow-green group 146B;            mature leaf abaxial leaf vein color yellow-green group 145A;            mature leaf adaxial vein color yellow-green group 145B;            lobing: absent; shape in cross section: u-shaped; degree of            blistering between veins: absent to weak; degree of            undulation at margin: absent. Petioles: Length: 6.36 cm;            color: abaxial yellow-green group 145A; adaxial yellow-green            group 145A; diameter 0.36 cm; texture is mostly smooth,            exhibiting light pubescence. Petiolules: Length: 3.73 cm;            diameter 0.20 cm; color: abaxial yellow-green group 145B and            adaxial yellow-green group 145B; texture is light            pubescence. Stipules: 2 per leaf; length: 1.39 cm; width:            0.10 cm; texture: pubescence is light on the abaxial surface            and absent on the adaxial surface; shape: overall shape is            subulate; apex acuminate; base rounded; margins are smooth;            color: abaxial yellow-green group 145B, adaxial color green            group 143A.        -   Floricane.—Leaves: Large; mature compound leaf width 10.24            cm; length 9.75 cm; overall shape: trifoliate. Average date            of leaf bud burst: 18 February. Glossiness: Abaxial: dull,            not glossy; adaxial: dull, not glossy. Color: Base abaxial            green group 138A; adaxial green group 137A; midpoint abaxial            green group 138A; adaxial green group 137A: terminal abaxial            green group 138A; adaxial green group 137A. Terminal            leaflet: Width 4.57 cm; length 6.23 cm; shape ovate with            acute apex and oblique at the base; margin is bi-serrate;            serration teeth length is 0.42 cm and width is 0.41 cm;            number of leaflets per compound leaf 3; venation pinnate;            young leaf abaxial vein color yellow-green group 149A; young            leaf adaxial vein color yellow-green group 149C; mature leaf            abaxial leaf vein color yellow-green group 145B; mature leaf            adaxial vein color yellow-green group 149B; lobing: absent;            shape in cross section: u-shaped; degree of blistering            between veins: absent to weak; degree of undulation at            margin: absent. Petioles: Length 2.50 cm; color: abaxial            side is yellow-green group 145B; adaxial surface is            yellow-green group 145B; diameter 0.18 cm; texture smooth,            light pubescence present. Petiolules: Length 0.90 cm;            diameter 0.18 cm; color: abaxial surface is yellow-green            group 145B; adaxial surface is yellow-green group 145B;            texture: smooth with light pubescence. Stipules: 2 per leaf;            length 0.80 cm; width: 0.18 cm; texture: pubescence is light            on the abaxial surface and absent on the adaxial surface;            shape: overall subulate; apex acuminate; base rounded;            margins are smooth; color: abaxial surface green group 137C,            adaxial surface green group 137B.-   Flowers:    -   -   Floricane.—Date of bloom: First bloom: 16 April; 50% bloom            25 April. Reproductive organs: Stamens — erect, numerous.            Pistils — numerous. Pollen — normal, fertile, and abundant.        -   Flower.—Diameter: 4.41 cm; depth: 1.88 cm; shape: overall            rotate; symmetry: actinomorphic.        -   Petals.—Number per flower: 6; length 2.30 cm; width 1.61 cm;            shape: apex: obtuse; margin: entire (smooth); base: rounded;            color: abaxial surface white group 155D; adaxial surface            white group 155D; texture: abaxial: smooth, no pubescence;            adaxial: smooth, no pubescence.        -   Flowers per cluster.—6.        -   Sepal.—Number per flower: 5; length 1.22 cm; width: 0.52 cm;            shape: overall: deltoid; apex: acuminate; margin: entire            (smooth); base: truncate; texture: abaxial: moderate            pubescence; adaxial: heavy pubescence; color: abaxial:            yellow-green group 146B with greyed-orange group 177A on the            tips; adaxial: yellow-green group 146D.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 4.47 cm; width: 0.12 cm; color:            yellow-green group 146B; texture: moderate to heavy            pubescence.        -   Peduncle.—Length: 0.32 cm; width: 0.45 cm; color:            greyed-orange group 166A.        -   Cyme.—Type: elongated simple cyme; length: 10.08 cm.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity.—Average first ripe date 7 June; Average fruiting            period 61 days.        -   Size.—Large, average 7.9 g.        -   Diameter of fruit at primary position on            inflorescence.—Equator 1.95 cm; base pole 1.93 cm; terminal            pole 1.50 cm.        -   Diameter of fruit at secondary positions on            inflorescence.—Equator 2.03 cm; base pole 1.94 cm; terminal            pole 1.61 cm.        -   Primary fruit.—Length: 3.50 cm; shape: narrow ovate to            oblong; color: black group 202A.        -   Drupelet size.—0.49 cm.        -   Drupelet number per fruit.—93.        -   Seed.—Average length 0.36 cm; width 0.21 cm; dry weight 4.50            mg; wet weight 5.30 mg; color wet orange-red group 34B;            color dry greyed-orange group 165D.        -   Soluble solids.—8.7%.        -   pH.—3.34.        -   Titratable acidity.—1.10 g/L expressed as citric acid.        -   Processed quality.—Not evaluated for processing.        -   Uses.—Home garden cultivar use due to high productivity,            long period of fruiting and very healthy plants. Not for            commercial shipping use.-   The cultivar: The most distinctive features of the cultivar are    long-shaped, large berries, good flavor, high productivity, and very    healthy plants.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of blackberry plant named‘A-2524T’ substantially as illustrated and described herein.